I’ve been closely watching presidential campaigns since Nixon-Humphrey-Wallace in 1968. Here’s something weird about this one: Why isn’t Kamala running a “Morning in America” campaign like Reagan’s in 1984? That’s what you’re supposed to do if things are running pretty well and you’re the party in power. Here’s the Gipper. He didn’t even mention opponent Walter Mondale.
That worked so well, Bill Clinton copied it for his re-election bid in 1996. He also didn’t mention his opponent, Bob Dole.
Contrast that with the first Kamala ad popping up on a Google search, titled “The Enemy Within.” It calls Trump a “fascist” and suggests he’ll “shoot people on the streets.”’
Other Kamala ads are just as bad.
But things actually are pretty good in America, at least if you apply a little spin of the sort you learn the first day in Political Campaigns 101. A computer even could. I’ve been experimenting with AI, specifically ChatGPT 4o. So I asked it to write a positive political script, with what in Hollywood they call a “storyboard” showing some scenes to be filmed.
I’m using current numbers of inflation dropping from 9% in 2022 to 2.4% today. And the unemployment rate being 4.1%. Those are the official numbers which I won’t challenge here.
Here’s what it produced in just one minute, boldface in original. I didn’t edit even a comma.
Me: Chat, could you write a TV ad boasting how unemployment is just 2.4% and inflation has been cut by one third?
Chat: Sure! Here’s a script for a TV ad highlighting low unemployment and reduced inflation:
[Scene: Bright, bustling streets filled with people happily going about their day—shopping, working, spending time with family. Uplifting music plays in the background.]
Narrator (voiceover):
“Things are looking up. Unemployment is down to just 4%, giving more Americans the chance to pursue their dreams and build a better future.”
[Cut to a construction site with workers smiling, a small business owner helping customers, and an office space with people collaborating.]
Narrator (voiceover):
“Hardworking families across the nation are seeing the benefits of steady jobs and thriving communities.”
[Scene shifts to a grocery store aisle, where a mother and child are shopping. The camera focuses on price tags and a confident smile on the mother’s face.]
Narrator (voiceover):
“And here’s more good news—inflation has been cut by a third. That means your dollar stretches further, and everyday essentials are within reach again.”
[Cut to a family enjoying dinner together, a couple looking at their savings, and people out enjoying affordable goods.]
Narrator (voiceover):
“Lower prices at the store, a stable economy, and more opportunities—this is progress.”
[Scene returns to vibrant scenes of different cities and towns, people smiling and thriving.]
Narrator (voiceover):
“Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient economy. With unemployment at 4% and inflation falling, brighter days are ahead.”
[Music swells, and the screen fades to the slogan.]
Narrator (voiceover):
“America: Moving Forward, Together.”
[Screen text: “Unemployment at 4%. Inflation down by one-third. A stronger economy for everyone.”]
[End with uplifting music and the logo of the organization or government entity responsible.]
This ad emphasizes optimism and positive outcomes while highlighting economic achievements in a relatable and impactful way.
So, what happened? I figure Biden’s team knew what to do, but were pushed aside along with him. Here’s an upbeat ad from when Joe was running.
It has some criticism of Trump, but mainly is about how things have gone so well during Biden’s term. It’s the congenial Joe we’ve come to know over five decades, the back-slapping Lincoln salesman. If he hadn’t come down with severe dementia, he might have won again.
The new team suffers from a severe case of TDS: Trump Derange Syndrome. “Orange Hitler! He’s going to take away our reproductive rights! He’s going to force us back into the maternity ward, the nursery and the kitchen!”
It’s aimed at the college-brainwashed single women already backing Kamala. No wonder she’s losing a large chunk of the male black and Hispanic vote, as even the TDS-besotted NY Times reported.
I’ve emphasized domestic policy. But, briefly, oneon foreign policy would be easy too. Just make an ad intoning, “Kamala Harris has kept America strong and secure, while none of our brave troops are dying in wars. She’s also helping the brave Ukrainian freedom fighters, while aiding Israel’s fight against terrorism. And she’s helping the Palestinians by working for a two-state solution.” The latter would be for the large Arab-American vote in battleground Michigan.
Politics isn’t hard. And today with AI, you don’t even have to know what you’re doing.
Perhaps she is supposed to fail? Leaving trump to hold the bag when our economy turns further south.